Chapter Four: Master Knows Just a Little

When Chen Jiu returned to the Mysterious Mountain, it was already dawn of the next day.

Standing halfway up the mountain, gazing at the golden rays bursting forth from the eastern horizon, full of the breath of life, a sense of contentment appeared on Chen Jiu’s weary face.

“Let me seek immortality,” he whispered to himself.

To pursue longevity, to attain the Great Dao—this is the lifelong aspiration of any cultivator.

Since he had traversed into such a wondrous world, how could he resign himself to being merely a fleeting passerby?

I shall seek immortality! I will survive, and carve out my own legend here!

...

The Mysterious Temple was a Taoist sanctuary of considerable renown, built during the reign of the ninth emperor of the Great Jin Dynasty. The emperor himself ascended the mountain and inscribed the characters for “Mysterious” on its gate, and more than two centuries have passed since.

Standing before the stone gate of the temple, strewn with fallen leaves, Chen Jiu was met by the sight of yellowing forests all around, a desolate chill blowing in with the autumn wind.

The temple was no longer what it once had been.

A century ago, the Great Jin was struck by a calamity that nearly destroyed the country.

A Taoist, Wang Qiao, secretly released countless ancient monsters suppressed by both Taoists and Buddhists. The ensuing plague of demons swept across the land, leaving the people destitute and the nation weak, corpses littering every road.

In the end, the king of Jin resorted to the ancestral reserves, and joined forces with Taoist masters and Buddhist saints to quell the demon disaster. The dying dynasty found a new lease on life.

Yet, after the crisis, the king lashed out at the Taoist sects, issuing the “Taoist Decree,” which forced all temple-dwellers aged twenty and above to descend the mountain and hunt demons, requiring them to accumulate merit before they could return to the temple for secluded cultivation.

Though many monsters had been exterminated, some escaped or hid in shadows. These residual creatures remained hidden threats to Jin and had to be uprooted.

At the same time, this decree caused the decline of the Taoist sects, for who would willingly send their young ones to the temple only to meet death?

Most of the young in the temple returned to secular life, leaving only a few who persisted in the pursuit of the Dao...

“I wonder when my turn will come…” Chen Jiu sighed.

He was already of age, yet had not received notice from the Bureau of People’s Safety. He hoped to delay for a few more months, for to hunt demons now would be as futile as throwing eggs at a stone…

The Bureau of People’s Safety, after all, was an agency set up by the Jin Dynasty to apprehend monsters and investigate supernatural occurrences.

A resolute light appeared in his eyes. He must enter the world of cultivation!

...

Li Fenglai wore a pale moon-colored Taoist robe, a ceremonial cap upon his head, and held a snowy-white horsetail whisk matching the color of his hair.

Though he appeared barely over forty, the depth of his gaze spoke of countless trials and tribulations.

Li Fenglai stood at the entrance to the Hall of Three Purities, watching the young man in Taoist robes approach from afar, the corners of his mouth lifting ever so slightly.

Chen Jiu approached the hall, looking at the white-haired Taoist, his heart full of emotion.

Li Fenglai, known as “Mystic One,” was the master of this temple, Chen Jiu’s teacher, and even a foster father to him.

Seventeen years ago, Li Fenglai found the abandoned child by a stream at the foot of the mountain and took him in.

But a month ago, “Chen Jiu” fell accidentally from a cliff and died; his body was then occupied by a soul from another world.

The original Chen Jiu had been devoted to learning mystical arts, hoping to become a rain-summoning immortal and eagerly anticipating his teacher’s promise to impart the Dao.

Fate, however, had other plans.

“Disciple Chen Jiu greets Master!” he paid his respects with sincere reverence.

Li Fenglai’s chiseled face broke into a smile as he nodded, “Blessings of the Boundless Heaven. I am glad you returned safely.”

Hearing this, Chen Jiu stood up and asked in confusion, “Master, did you know I would encounter a monster?”

Li Fenglai’s gaze flickered, his tone calm, “Just a little, that’s all.”

Chen Jiu’s heart stirred—what did “a little” mean…?

“By the way, how much silver did Benefactor Li give you?” Li Fenglai suddenly asked.

At that, Chen Jiu remembered the money pouch hanging at his waist. He reached for it, but his hand found nothing.

His heart skipped—could he have lost it?

But the next moment, Li Fenglai produced a small pouch from nowhere, opened it, and began counting.

“Not bad! Benefactor Li was generous, giving fifty taels of silver!” Li Fenglai smiled in satisfaction.

Chen Jiu could only smile wryly.

His master was admirable in all respects, except for his obsession with money.

“This is your share.” Li Fenglai tossed the pouch to Chen Jiu.

Chen Jiu grinned broadly and quickly caught it.

But when he opened it, he froze on the spot.

Inside the pouch was not only the fifty taels of silver, but also an extra ten taels of gold!

Could his money-loving master have changed his ways? Chen Jiu was bewildered—his heart raced, for in a single instant he had gone from penniless to wealthy!

...

Just as Li Fenglai was about to return inside, Chen Jiu suddenly remembered his purpose, and hurriedly called out, “Master! Your disciple has another request!”

Li Fenglai turned, a glimmer in his eyes, half-smiling, “What is it?”

Chen Jiu composed himself, then knelt down and respectfully bowed his head, “I beg you to teach me the Taoist immortal arts!”

In this world overrun by demons and monsters, survival by cunning might suffice for a while, but not for a lifetime. Only true strength could secure a path forward!

Li Fenglai seemed to have anticipated Chen Jiu’s thoughts, showing no surprise. He stroked his stubbled chin and said with some difficulty, “As for cultivation methods, your master only knows a little…”

Chen Jiu’s eyes brightened, “A little? Just a bit?”

Li Fenglai nodded, “Mm, a little bit.”

Chen Jiu’s heart soared; since there was no outright refusal, there was hope!

“Your disciple is eager to learn!”

Li Fenglai’s expression turned quirky. He said, “You know the saying, ‘The law is not lightly passed on, nor lightly spoken.’”

Chen Jiu frowned, puzzled—what did that mean?

He was a formal disciple; surely a teacher instructing his pupil in magic was only natural!

“When you first became my disciple, I taught you the rituals common to Taoists. But now you wish to learn the true arts of the Dao—that is another matter.” Li Fenglai glanced at the money pouch in Chen Jiu’s hand.

Suddenly enlightened, Chen Jiu looked at the pouch, then steeled himself and handed it to his master.

Money is but a worldly possession. When I am accomplished, earning wealth will be easy enough!

“Your disciple, Chen Jiu, is willing to give up his fortune for the sake of learning! I wish only to cultivate wholeheartedly!”

Perhaps this was his master’s test, for many lose their way before riches.

Li Fenglai accepted the pouch, a hint of approval deep in his eyes, “That’s right, each matter its own. It’s not that your master is greedy for money!”

Chen Jiu shook his head, “So long as I can learn, and protect my life, this bit of money means nothing!”

Though he was once again penniless, the dream of immortality was within reach, making wealth seem insignificant.

With a flick of Li Fenglai’s wrist, the pouch vanished into thin air. Chen Jiu stared in astonishment as his master walked into the hall.

“Come in, your master has something to tell you…”

Upon hearing this, Chen Jiu felt a surge of emotion, quickly tidied his disheveled robe, and followed him inside.